Research 60 Year Anniversary Talking Points

-The American Cancer Society research program launched with a million dollar donation raised by Mary Lasker in 1946.

-In 1946 the American Cancer Society gave 133 grants to 47 institutions.

-Since 1946, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $3 Billion in cancer research.

-Today the American Cancer Society supports more than $120 million each year on cancer research.

-Over the past 60 years, more than 20,000 grants have been supported.

-The American Cancer Society’s Research Program has supported 42 researches who have gone on to win the Nobel Price.

-American Cancer Society Research Program breakthroughs include:

*Brian Drucker, who showed Gleevec could battle a deadly cancer by precisely targeting leukemia cells.

*Donnall Thomas, who developed the Bone Marrow Transplant.

*Mary Claire King discovered the breast cancer gene, and worked to target women at risk.

*Cure for childhood leukemia with combination chemotherapy.

*Identification of smoking as a cause of lung cancer.

*Use of Tamoxifen to reduce risk of second or first breast cancer.

*Development of monoclonal antibodies to treat breast cancer (Herceptin) and lymphoma (Rituxan).

-In 1946, the word cancer was barely whispered and was considered a death sentence. Today, 60+ years later, there is hope for people with cancer.